On 28th January, UNICEF boss requested Myanmar to carry out the instruction of a panel on the issue of Rohingya crisis. The panel was headed by former UN chief head Kofi Annan. However, the UNICEF head stated that Myanmar is yet to create conditions that would be apt for the return of the Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh.

While speaking at a forum in the capital, Naypyitaw, UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore stated that the children belonging to the Rohingya Muslim minority group, were living a dangerous and almost pointless life in camps in adjoining Bangladesh. Around 730,000 Rohingyas departed from Rakhine state, since a military suppression in 2017 after Rohingya rebels attacked a security post. Tens of thousands are living behind Rakhine, where they are inflicted to restraints on movement and have limited access to healthcare and education.

Fore stated that Myanmar’s pledge to act out the instruction of Annan’s committee, which consist of maintaining freedom of movement and access to education. It would be aiding in fixing the lives of the suffering children. During the first visit of the UNICEF head in years, she asked the government should grab the opportunity and convert the potential into reality for every child. She added that following the steps would help to go a long way in creating the appropriate conditions so that the refugees can easily return from Bangladesh.

In 2016, the Annan commission was formed by Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in order to seek a long-term fix to deep-rooted ethnic and religious divisions in Rakhine. However, implementation of its judgment has been surrounded by crises and difficulties.

A day after the panel issued its report in August 2017, Rohingya insurgents started to attack security forces, inciting a military suppression. The U.N. investigators called this event as “ethnic cleansing” with “genocidal aim”. Myanmar rebuffs the allegation.

UNICEF in August issued a warning against what it called as lost generation of Rohingya children, as half a million of children are living in refugee camps facing danger of disease and floods. Those who are living in Myanmar don’t have an access to proper education.